Circles Program on relationships

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Recently I was introduced to the “Circles” program. I have never heard about this program before, but was told it has been around for years. I was home one day working remotely and I thought that this was the ideal time to review Part I and II. Both parts combined are 6 DVDs each being 12 minutes long.

The first part introduces the circles of relationships and the types of intimacy one should have with people who belong in the circles.It puts the person – the character they were using as the example to represent the viewer in the personal purple circle. The next circle described is the blue hug circle followed by the green friends circle, the yellow handshake circle, the orange wave circle, and finally the red stranger space. Each circle has hand gestures to represent each circle. The hand gestures work as a form of communication for people who cannot communicate the circles verbally. Following a description of each circle the host or main character reviews how one should TALK, TOUCH, AND TRUST people in that particular circle. Part two explains how people can move from the outer circles closer to the person.

From the producers:Part 1: Social DistanceHelp your students “see “social boundaries. Explain the relationship between the level of intimacy between people and the way they TOUCH, TALK to, and TRUST each other. You’ll teach your students relationship boundaries and relationship-specific behaviors. For example, it’s okay to hug your mother, but it’s not okay to hug the mail carrier.Part 2: Relationship BuildingDemonstrate how intimacy levels change as relationships change. Emphasize the role of mutual choice among individuals when deciding what level of intimacy will characterize a relationship. This concept is critical for protecting your students from exploitation.See part II tomorrow for impressions on this program.

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Jaclyn Kratzer is a disability advocate and writer in Pennsylvania who was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy at the age of two and a half. She uses a motorized wheelchair as her primary mobility tool. Her goal is to educate society about disabilities. She graduated from Reading Area Community College with an associate's degree in applied sciences in human services, which is just the beginning of reaching her educational goals. She is also a certified advocate from Temple University. She won the title of Ms. Wheelchair Pennsylvania 2003. Jaclyn is the executive director of Differently Abled Associates, Inc. and peer counselor for Abilities in Motion, a center for independent living. Jaclyn has been an online columnist for BellaOnline, Suite 101, and LifeTips. Her articles have appeared in Christian Friendship, Personal Growth, Civil Rights, Family Health, Our Journey, Positive Reflections, The Front Street Journal, Wom(y)n to Women, and more.